Journal Article

The Development and Validation of the University Belonging Questionnaire

Slaten, Christopher D., Deemer, Eric D., Hughes, Hayley A., Elison, Zachary M., Shemwell, Daniel A.

2018

Overview

Although belonging in K-12 school settings has been abundantly researched and clearly defined, at the university level the research and construct definition is still in its infancy (Tovar & Simon, 2010). The present study sought to develop and validate an instrument measuring university belonging-the University Belonging Questionnaire (UBQ). In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted with a sample of university students (N = 421), finding a reliable scale with three factors: (a) university affiliation, (b) university support and acceptance, and (c) faculty and staff relations. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis on a new sample (N = 290), confirmed the final 3-factor, 24-item model. Further analyses demonstrated the convergent and incremental validity of the UBQ, as it positively correlated with measures of perceived social support, social connectedness, and general belonging. Implications and recommendations for university belonging research are discussed.

• Publisher: Routledge,Taylor & Francis Group, LLC,Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subject: Academic belonging / College Students / Construct Validity / Discriminant analysis / Elementary Secondary Education / Factor Analysis / Likert Scales / measurement / MEASUREMENT, STATISTICS, AND RESEARCH DESIGN / Questionnaires / school belonging / School Surveys / Sense of Community / social connectedness / Social Integration / Statistical analysis / Student Adjustment / Teacher Student Relationship / Test Construction / Test Reliability / university belonging